How great is that title for a government department, I think a better translation would be ethics committee. As China's world status elevates, more and more tourists are setting theirs sites on checking out foreign landmarks. In response, Chinese leaders are getting the word out to the masses to not to embarrass themselves by spitting, butting in line, and generally being loud in public, all things that are part of regular Chinese daily life. Unfortunately those that are the worst offenders are the ones with the most status and are therefore the most likely potential tourist abroad. Check out this amusing article, here.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

If you're like me, you have fond memories of running wild on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland. But for future generations this experience will be unavailable. The 50 year old island is soon to become Jack Sparrow's Pirate Booty Island. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure this is great news if you're a kid and you have no idea who Tom Sawyer is, but it seems a bit lamentable to me.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Stephen Wiltshire is a human camera. He’s an autistic man who accurately draws entire cities from memory after a single 45-minute helicopter ride — right down to the correct number of windows in each building.link

As some of you may know, the Lunar holiday is in full swing in China and there are lantern festivals to be celebrated plus China is preparing for it's National Day. So here is a sampling of some of my favorite pictures from around China this week. I love the chimp and the dreadlocked old guy, who by the way has been growing his hair for thirty years... and WTF is with the boxing bears?

Monday, October 02, 2006

Didn't get a chance to post on Friday as I went into battle with all my belongings. It's amazing to think that I carried everything I own on my back and down the stairs and out to the street and into the truck and out into the lobby and up the elevator and down the hall.... I am so sore today and exhausted. But it's done! The implicit nature of the words "U-Haul" will forever haunt me or at least till my hands stop aching.